Across the Palestinian territories, from war-torn and besieged Gaza to the refugee camps of Tulkarm, Nur Shams, and Jenin, youth face harsh realities that impose roles far beyond their age and circumstances. While destroyed homes remain as witnesses to catastrophe, and living conditions worsen daily, youth cannot afford the luxury of waiting. While youth initiatives frequently make headlines, the truth remains that no matter how great these efforts are, they cannot replace the urgent need for a comprehensive and sustainable reconstruction process, nor can they compensate for the absence of a political vision capable of ending the suffering of Palestinians.
The Need for Genuine, Not Temporary, Reconstruction
Reconstruction is not merely about rebuilding walls or providing temporary solutions to help people remain in their damaged homes. It is a humanitarian and national obligation that must be part of an international and Arab commitment that goes beyond verbal promises to actual projects on the ground. In Gaza, where over two million Palestinians suffer from severe shortages in basic services, individual initiatives are not enough; there is an urgent need for an integrated reconstruction process that ensures the provision of electricity, clean drinking water, and health facilities, alongside rebuilding homes destroyed by bombings.
The devastated economy adds another layer of suffering. While some struggled to make ends meet before the war, the situation has now worsened. Unemployment rates have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels, and purchasing power has almost vanished amid soaring prices that make even the most basic daily needs seem unattainable. All this makes reconstruction an urgent
necessity not just to provide shelter but to restore education, healthcare, economic activity, and social life in a region that has suffered decades of blockade and marginalization.
But the problem is not limited to Gaza. In the West Bank, particularly in the refugee camps of Tulkarm, Nur Shams, and Jenin, Palestinians face similar challenges due to ongoing annexation policies. In these camps, initially intended as temporary shelters for displaced Palestinians, destruction has become a daily reality due to relentless military operations. Houses are demolished without warning, camp alleys are turned into highways, and essential facilities are damaged by repeated raids, making life in these areas resemble a continuous nightmare. The need to rebuild these camps and rehabilitate their infrastructure is just as important as rebuilding Gaza the suffering is similar, even if its intensity and details differ.
Palestinian Youth Confronting Destruction: An Unbreakable Will
Amid this harsh reality, youth have not stood idly by. From the first days after the war in Gaza, youth groups launched self-initiated efforts to restore what could still be salvaged. These initiatives were not just about providing temporary fixes; they were an expression of a collective refusal to succumb to despair and a determination to revive what the war had destroyed.
In Gaza, where destruction is widespread, youth began repairing homes that were not completely demolished, using whatever materials were available even if it meant just wooden planks and
plastic sheets to cover windows exposed to the cold and rain. Some reused rubble to mend what could still be fixed, a desperate yet courageous attempt to confront disaster with limited resources.
In Tulkarm and Nur Shams, conditions were no less harsh. There, too, youth launched initiatives to support families who had lost their homes, providing essential necessities where possible. In Jenin, which has become a symbol of resistance, youth initiatives emerged to repair schools damaged by repeated military incursions and to ensure continued education for children living in an unstable environment.
These youth-led initiatives are not just about beautifying the scene or offering superficial solutions; they reflect the resilience that has long defined Palestinians. However, they are ultimately insufficient and cannot replace the greater responsibilities that fall on official institutions, international organizations, and Arab states, which must take up their role in rebuilding what has been destroyed and ensuring that reconstruction efforts are sustainable rather than just emergency responses to recurring crises.
No Emergency Solutions Without a Comprehensive Political Path
If reconstruction is a necessity, it will not be enough if the political situation remains unchanged. Without a genuine political process that guarantees a just and sustainable solution, reconstruction efforts will remain temporary measures, and Gaza and the West Bank camps will continue to be vulnerable to repeated cycles of destruction.
Political solutions are not a luxury; they are the foundation of any future stability. This cannot be achieved without the active participation of youth and women, who are the most affected by the conflict yet remain the most marginalized in decision-making. There can be no future for Palestinians without their real involvement in shaping the policies that directly impact their lives.
Palestinian youth are not just an age group; they are the driving force behind any real change. Yet, major decisions are often made without their participation, leaving them to bear the consequences of choices in which they had no say. The reconstruction of Gaza and the rehabilitation of West Bank refugee camps must be part of a clear political project aimed at ending the occupation, with youth at the heart of the political process rather than being relegated to the role of mere victims adapting to reality.
True participation means that youth must have a role in designing reconstruction plans, determining how resources are allocated, and ensuring that these processes are not dictated by political considerations or external agendas. It also means that women must have a strong presence in this process, as they are an integral part of society and have paid a heavy price. It is unacceptable for their roles to remain limited in the context of rebuilding the future.
Between the Need for Reconstruction and the Demand for Justice in Solutions
There can be no separation between the need for comprehensive reconstruction and the necessity of a sustainable political solution that ensures destruction does not repeat itself. Youth cannot continue to be treated as mere volunteers expected to fix what has been destroyed while major decisions remain beyond their reach. Reconstruction must be a national and international project, and the political path must be inclusive and just, so that youth are not always the ones paying the price without having a say in shaping their future.
Final Message
Palestinians cannot be left to face their fate alone, nor should youth be the ones shouldering the burden of rebuilding what was destroyed by policies in which they had no part. Reconstruction is not just a response to a crisis; it is a right that must be implemented in a just and comprehensive manner to ensure that tragedies do not repeat themselves. It must also pave the way for Palestinians especially youth to be part of the solution, not just victims of the conflict.
The future of Gaza, the West Bank, and the refugee camps in Tulkarm, Nur Shams, and Jenin must be different from the past. Rebuilding walls is not enough; a future must be built where destruction does not recur and where those who deserve to be real partners in decision-making are not excluded.